Waggin' Tales Pet Blog

#GivingTuesday occurs this week, and on this day those of us who advocate for animals can make a big difference for those creatures.

#GivingTuesday allows us to partner with and thank non-profits around the world with a monetary donation. Around this time every year we are bombarded with spending money, from Black Friday deals to Cyber Monday savings. Many of us get wrapped up like a box at Christmas in the buy, buy, buy, and spend, spend, spend – and yes, #GivingTuesday is no exception. However, the big difference between Black Friday/Cyber Monday and #GivingTuesday is that our dollars can do a lot of good on this special day – helping charities continue their good works.

Whether your passions lie with pets or people, or both, you can make a difference on #GivingTuesday; contributing to causes that help others is a very positive endeavor, and oftentimes your donations can and will be matched through grants and other donors.

On this #GivingTuesday, if you’re an animal advocate like me, let’s pool our resources and help pets in need. Donate locally first if you believe in a pet rescue or animal shelter near you; oftentimes, the local organizations receive little to no national funding; our local groups need us, their community, to step up. But, if you want to split your donation between a local and a national group, as I often do, here are a few national animal rescue organizations you might consider supporting:

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary – located in southeastern Utah, this 30+-year-old organization takes in dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, and other animals in need of rescue and re-homing; this group took in many of the Michael Vick fighting dogs and fought to save their lives – many went on to good, loving homes and did great deeds, such as served as therapy animals. Best Friends is instrumental in the No Kill movement and provides adoption centers across the country; they also partner with community shelters and rescue organizations, providing grants and other funds to help smaller groups across the country.

National Mill Dog Rescue – located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this organization, also with a long history, saves puppy mill dogs from the deplorable conditions of tiny cages and constant breeding. NMDR spends time and money socializing the dogs and providing the vet care most never received. They have saved thousands of dogs, from small to large breeds, from the horror of puppy mills.

ASPCA – one of the first animal rescue organizations established in America, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals not only shuts down puppy mills, but responds to communities during natural disasters, such as the 2017 hurricanes and floods. They work alongside local groups to rescue and reunite, or re-home, animals affected by these events. Their primary focuses on animal homelessness and animal cruelty.

American Humane – another group with a long history in the United States, this group also responds to natural disasters and cruelty cases. They are noted for the Hero Dog Awards and they also help to bring military service dogs back to the U.S. from overseas, often reuniting dogs with their military handlers.

Humane Society of the United States – this organization is involved not only with pet rescue, including natural disaster response, but also works abroad with wildlife issues, such as seals and elephants. The group also tackles factory farming and animal fighting situations.

Another group I like to support is located in Wyoming, but its reach extends beyond state borders. Black Dog Animal Rescue, in Cheyenne, has been around for nearly 10 years, helping shelter dogs scheduled to be euthanized in shelters find new, loving adoptive homes. One of their successful programs pairs prisoners with pups; the inmates work with the dogs regarding obedience and agility training.

My plan for #GivingTuesday is to donate locally, regionally, and nationally, and though I may not have a lot of money, my contribution paired with others can, and does, make a difference.

How about you? Want to help animals in need? I hope you’ll do so on this #GivingTuesday. Animals need people and rescues and shelters need individuals and groups to help them help the animals. Show your compassion and concern today – donate and make a difference!